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50 Years of Building Solutions, Supporting Communities and Advancing Justice

1986 DNA Technology

NIJ begins support for development of DNA technology applicable to criminal justice. In 1998, NIJ establishes the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, which provides recommendations on enhanced use of DNA from crime scene to the courtroom. President George W. Bush in 2003 launches his DNA initiative to ensure accuracy and fairness in criminal justice. OJP helps laboratories reduce their backlogs, provides training on solving cold cases, works to prevent wrongful convictions and reviews potential cases of post-conviction innocence. Federal funding helps state and local DNA laboratories increase their capacity almost four-fold between 2005 and 2010.